ST. JAMES
THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr
Joseph Whisstock

Fr
Brett
Adams

Fr
Philip Willenbrock

51 Priory
Street , Colchester, Essex,
CO1 2QB

Tel:
01206 866317;   Fax  01206 791213

E-Mail      [email-masked]

www.stjamesthelessandsthelen.org

PALM SUNDAY OF THE
PASSION OF THE LORD

April 5th 2009 A.D.

Dear
Friends

When we listen to the reading of the Passion story
we can often find ourselves retreating into a place of stillness and
reflection.  Called Passion Sunday
in reference to the suffering and death that Jesus undergoes, it may be
appropriate to look beyond this Passion to the consuming passion that God has
always shown human beings. We were conceived in the mind of God and loved
eternally; we came to birth in this world which God created in love and we
have been brought into God’s family at baptism by the gift of the Holy
Spirit. The Passion of Jesus Christ is the very heart of our life of
faith.  Here was a man “one
like us in all things but sin”, as Hebrews says, who revealed the very
depths of the love that God has
for us.  Jesus’ death and
rising brings us into a loving personal relationship with the Father
forever.  On Holy Thursday we
celebrate the homecoming of Jesus. The things that make the joys of home life
are here for us to see and share; the washing of feet, showing love and
service: the bread and wine of a family table; the conversation and
conviviality of friends together; all of it so simple and yet so seared with
meaning.  The notice fixed to the
Cross was written in 3 languages – Latin, Greek and Hebrew – so
no one would be left in any doubt as to the reason for his execution.  Pilate felt compelled to write it, but
did not know why.  The whole
affair was out of his control; he had signed a death warrant, but he had
wanted the victim to live.  The
drama of Good Friday is always here.
But that is not the last word.
Jesus of Nazareth
IS the king of the Jews, and of all peoples.  He is the Lord of Life. What God has
written, God has written.

As we journey in prayer together during this Holy
Week let us “think not so much of the pain with which he suffered, but rather of the love with which he
suffered.”
[St Alphonsus].
God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK  [Check for any changes]

N.B.  Evening prayer this
week:   Monday to Wednesday
only in Church

Tuesday 7th April      7:30pm  Stations of the Cross
Priory St

Wednesday
8th       10am       Mass
& Confessions
Mersea

7pm
Chrism Mass @ Brentwood Cathedral

Good Friday 10th
10am   Stations of the
Cross
Mile End

11:45am  Walk of
Witness
See poster

7:30pm  Mercury Production
See poster

TRIDUUM SERVICES
IN PRIORY STREET

Maundy Thursday  8pm
Mass of the Last Supper/Veneration to midnight

Good Friday    10:30am Stations of the Cross

3pm       Solemn Liturgy of the
Passion

Holy Saturday  8pm       Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday:  Masses at usual Sunday times [including
6:30pm Mass]

N.B.  There
will be no Confessions – morning or evening – on Holy Saturday.

HOLY FATHER’S MISSION
STATEMENT FOR APRIL:  That Christians will be courageous where the
rights of women and children are denied and where the poor and weak are
oppressed.

SECOND COLLECTION:  There will be a Diocesan Collection for the Holy Land after all Masses today. The proceeds are used
for the maintenance and upkeep of the Catholic sites in this area. …..”and following the violence in the Gaza Strip, the needs of
the Christians and entire population in the Holy Land
are greater than ever.”     Bishop
Thomas.

EASTER
LILIES:  If you would like to
donate a bloom in memory of a loved one, please enclose whatever you can
afford in an envelope marked “Easter Lily” and deliver to the
Priests’ House.

ALTAR
SERVERS’ REHEARSAL: Thursday 9th April at 10:30am for the
Last Supper and Passion and Death; Friday April 10th at 4:30pm for
Easter Vigil.

EASTER
OFFERING:  The Offertory Collection
at all the Easter Masses is, by tradition, the parishioners’ personal
gift to the Clergy.  In this
parish, Fr Joseph and Fr Brett are the beneficiaries because this collection,
together with the Christmas one, forms the main part of their personal annual
income.  Thank you.

BAPTISM
OF CHILDREN BETWEEN 7-15 YEARS:  If you have a child[ren] between these ages
who have not yet been baptised,  a Course “Preparing for
Baptism” starts on Tuesday, April 21st at 4:30pm in the
Presbytery.  Please phone the
Parish Office in the first instance so that the Catechist knows how many to
expect.  Thank you.
FR JOSEPH

UCM:  The next meeting of the Union of Catholic
Mothers will take place on Thursday, 16th April, in the Crypt at
7:45pm.

DIVINE
MERCY SUNDAY – 19th APRIL:  In honour of
this feast on the Sunday after Easter there will be Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament, Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and other prayers from 1pm – 3pm
in the church.  All are
welcome.  The Novena to the Divine
Mercy Sunday starts on Good Friday, 10th April.

KSC TABLE
QUIZ:  The Knights of St Columba are holding a
Table Quiz in the Cardinal Bourne Hall on Saturday 18th April
after Mass at 7:30pm.  Proceeds to
various charities.  Light
refreshments provided: please bring your own drinks.  Tickets £4.50.  Ring Ron on 797850 to book or just
turn up on the evening.

LIFE IN THE
SPIRIT SEMINARS:  At Our Lady of Light,
Clacton Parish on 7 Tuesdays, commencing 21st April at 8pm.  Full details on posters in porch.

SVP
Barn/Square Dance. Saturday 25th April. 7:30pm – 11pm in the Cardinal Bourne Hall.  Entrance by ticket only. To book, please
telephone Anna 01206 242170, or Ann 01206 844914.  Book early.  Adults
£7.50. Children under 14 & Over 80's Free.
Food is included in the price.

FINANCIAL
GIVING:  Many thanks for the
interest shown when the PCC spoke at Masses recently.   Please remember – if you
are able to increase your giving by at least £1 a month [preferably
£1 a week] and gift aid what you give, [providing you pay income tax],
it places you under no obligation, whether you give by bank transfer or by
numbered envelope.  The tax
element of your donation is then returned to the Parish by the Inland
Revenue. We are very blessed to have our Parish Community: it needs our
financial help to continue to grow and prosper.
Mark Lee, Chair – Parish Pastoral
Council

THANK YOU to all our supporters and
helpers at the St Patrick’s Event.
It was a great night and we raised £422.  See you again next year.  Best wishes, Frances and friends.

ESSEX RECUSANT SOCIETY: Fr Stewart Foster, Diocesan Archivist advises
that the first issue of a new Catholic local history journal, South-Eastern
Catholic History, has just been produced.  The first issue includes articles on New
Hall’s Catholic Heritage and book review – History of New Hall; The
Petre Chalices; The Foundation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead and many more. Further details from the
Editor, Dr James Kelly: [email-masked]                Members of the Society will receive a
copy.

MEDJUGORJE; 21st
– 28th June 2009 with return flight/HB/transfer/full programme/spiritual guide.  £465 incl. apart from
insurance/SRS. Contact Carmen Blackett on 01277
821886/07754 163007/077385 95534.

Medjugorje Pilgrimage 2009 from 14 - 21
September cost £465.Interested?          Contact
Jan Cavanagh O1473 730426.

DAILY:                 8:35am;
Rosary &Divine Mercy
[Wednesdays 11:30am]

EVENING
PRAYER:
Mon, Tues, Wed this week 5:45pm
in the Church

PRAYER
GROUP:                                           Mondays  at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION
GROUP:
Tuesdays
at 8pm at No. 48 Priory St

EXPOSITION:
NOT
THIS WEEK

NEW
NEIGHBOUR PROJECT:  If anyone has a spare or
unused children’s car seat, please contact John on 851838.

GIFT AID
ENVELOPES FOR THE NEW TAX YEAR:  Are
at the back of the Church – in alphabetical order – for your
collection. N.B.  Those attending Mersea, Mile End or
Monkwick:  If your supply is not
there, please contact the Parish Office.

N.B.
REPOSITORY:  The Repository closed both today and Easter Sunday.

IF YOU ARE
NEW TO THE PARISH: please introduce yourself to one of the priests after Mass. A registration form
will need to be completed.
If you are moving within or out of the parish, please let the Parish
Office know.

THE PARISH
WEB SITE:  For all contact, inclusions etc.,
please get in touch with Don Clarke.
His email address is [email-masked]

LITURGY FOR PALM SUNDAY
OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD [B]

April 5th 2009  A.D.

The first Mass of Sunday
is on Saturday Evening at Priory
Street

Saturday  April 4th

Sunday    April 5th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Moira and Dennis Pryke RIP

Alan Walker RIP

Sr Helen Walsh RIP [PG]

Intentions of the Pauk
Family

West Mersea

8:30
am

Canon John Bloomfield RIP

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Mary and Gordon Scanlon RIP

Monday 6th

MONDAY IN HOLY WEEK

Church      9:15 am   John and Julie O’Connor RIP

Peggy Wilding RIP [ES]

Tuesday 7th

TUESDAY IN HOLY WEEK

Church      9:15 am   Frederick Fordham RIP

Wednesday 8th

See
Events re

Chrism
Mass

WEDNESDAY IN HOLY WEEK

Mersea    10:00 am   Holy Souls RIP

Church    12:15
pm   Delia Connolly RIP

Thursday 9th

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Church      8:00
pm   Poor Souls RIP

Dr E P Solomon RIP

Herbert Ray RIP

Friday 10th

GOOD FRIDAY                   Fasting and Abstinence

Mile End   10:00 am  Stations of the Cross

Church     10:30 am  Stations of the Cross

Church       3:00 pm  Solemn
Liturgy of the Passion

Saturday 11th        HOLY
SATURDAY             First Mass of Easter

Church        8:00
pm  Catherine and
Edward McElroy RIP

Holy
Souls RIP

Dec/Rels & Friends – Nancy Drummond

LITURGY FOR THE
RESURRECTION OF THE LORD [B]

April 12th  2009
A.D.

Sunday     April 12th

8:00
am

10:30
am

2:00
pm

5:00
pm

6:30
pm

May Moss RIP

Mary Galvin RIP

POLISH MASS

HOLY HOUR

Mick Barrett RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Holy Souls RIP

Mile End

9:15
am

Eileen Byrne RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Parishioners

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
NOT AT ALL  ON HOLY SATURDAY

SACRAMENT
OF BAPTISM                     Baptismal
Courses arranged as per Newsletter

SACRAMENT
OF MARRIAGE                 At least six months notice is required

SCHOOLS
St Thomas More       Head:
Bridget Harris   [865722]

St
Benedict’s             Head: John O’Hara     [549222]

www.marriagecare.org.uk   or 0800 389 3801.
www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No.
234092